Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 0 » 5061 sanctity of life Scripture treats human life as a divine gift and something for which humans are responsible. It is thus to be valued and respected. No human being has the right to take the life of another. The sanctity of all human life It proceeds from God It is precious to God Genesis 1:27 See also Genesis 4:10-11; 2 Samuel 18:12-13; Matthew 6:25-26 It is protected by God Deuteronomy 22:8 See also Genesis 4:15; Numbers 35:11-12; Jeremiah 22:3 Death is by God's appointment Hebrews 9:27 See also Job 14:5; Psalm 90:3,5 God prohibits unlawful taking of life Exodus 20:13 pp Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9 So precious is human life that some situations which required the death penalty in the OT are dealt with differently in the NT (e.g., Jn 8:5,11). God punishes unlawful taking of life Genesis 9:6 See also Exodus 21:14; 2 Samuel 12:9; 2 Kings 21:16 The sanctity of children's lives Children are planned by God Genesis 18:10; Judges 13:3-4; 1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 4:16-17; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:13-17,24-25,31-33,35 Children are precious and to be treasured Psalm 127:3-4 See also Genesis 33:5; Genesis 48:9; Psalm 113:9; Psalm 128:3 Child sacrifice is opposed Genesis 22:10-12; Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 12:31; 2 Kings 3:27; Kings 16:3 pp 2 Chronicles 28:3; Psalm 106:38; Isaiah 57:5; Jeremiah 7:30-31; Jeremiah 19:5; Ezekiel 16:20-21 Warnings against murder of children Antenatal life is fully human Job 31:15; Psalm 22:9; Psalm 119:73; Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 46:3-4; Isaiah 49:1,5; Jeremiah 1:5 Luke uses the same words here of an unborn child as he does in 2:12,16 of a newborn child and in 18:15 of little ones: Luke 1:41,44 Injury to a pregnant woman is serious The sanctity of old age The old are to be respected Proverbs 23:22 See also Leviticus 19:32; Job 32:6; Psalm 71:18; 1 Timothy 5:1-2 The old are to be cherished 1 Timothy 5:4 See also Genesis 47:12-13; 1 Samuel 22:3; John 19:26-27 See also
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